Perilla Pesto Pasta Recipe

Perilla pesto is a unique twist on the traditional Italian pesto by using the perilla herb instead of basil. If you’re not familiar with perilla, it’s an aromatic herb that’s prevalent in Korean dishes. You’ll commonly find them in soups and stews, used as a wrap for Korean BBQ, or in kimbap like my spicy tuna kimbap recipe. In terms of flavor, it’s a blend of mint, basil, anise, and cinnamon, making it bold and punchy in the most delightful ways. 

The sauce for this recipe uses my Perilla Pesto recipe, which is my take on the traditional Italian pesto. Instead of using basil for pesto, I’ve used perilla leaves and it turned out so good! The result is a delicious fusion of rich, savory, and nutty tones of the olive oil and pine nuts combined with minty, subtly spicy, and sweet notes of the perilla herb. 

If you’re looking for innovative ways to elevate your pasta night at home, give this recipe a try!

Why you’ll love this recipe

When it comes to comfort food, noodles are high up on my list and I love having an easy pasta dish like this perilla pesto pasta on deck whenever I want a quick yet nourishing meal. 

Once you have the perilla pesto made, which you can prepare in advance, the rest of the dish comes together relatively quickly. All you’ll need to do is cook the pasta, toss it into the perilla pesto sauce, top with burrata, and serve. The burrata adds a delicious creamy element to the pasta without overpowering the perilla pesto. Best of all, everything comes together in about 15 minutes! 

What I love most about this dish is how light and refreshing it is. The perilla pesto is not as heavy and indulgent as cream-based and meaty sauces which is perfect for the summer. This dish is also super convenient.  You can make a big batch of the perilla pesto and keep it stored in the fridge. Whenever you’re craving pasta or want a quick meal, you just need to toss the pasta in the sauce. The pesto also freezes well so you can portion the sauce into cubes and keep it stored in the freezer. Thaw in the fridge the night before or a couple of hours before cooking and toss in the cooked pasta. 

Perilla Pesto Pasta Ingredients & Substitutions

Pasta: I used long fusilli pasta because of its long beautiful shape! The curvaceous shape of the pasta also allows for the pesto to adhere better when compared to thin long pasta like spaghetti. However, feel free to use any type of pasta you like!  

Pasta water: I reserved some of the pasta water to help thin out the sauce. I recommend reserving extra just in case. 

Perilla Pesto: I’ve used my own unique recipe for this which has a delicious balance of herby, nutty, slightly sweet, and slightly cheesy flavor. I highly recommend making it at home – it’s really easy and tastes so good! If you prefer to use regular pesto, that’s fine as well however, you’d be missing out on the perilla flavor. 

Salt: Used to season the boiling water for pasta

Burrata: Used as garnish and adds a delicious creamy flavor that complements the herby pesto deliciously

Fresh perilla leaves: Added for garnish

How to Prepare Perilla Pesto Pasta

Step 1: Cook the pasta according to package instructions

In a pot with boiling water, add 1 teaspoon of salt. Once dissolved, add the pasta of your choice and cook according to the package instructions.

Step 2: Strain the pasta

Reserve 1/2 cup pasta water then strain the pasta.

Step 3: Combine the pasta and pesto sauce

Transfer the drained pasta into a mixing bowl and add 1/4 cup of pasta water to start. You can add more later if needed. Add 1/4 cup perilla pesto and mix well. If the pasta is too dry, add a bit more pasta water until it reaches your desired consistency.

Step 4: Plate, garnish, and serve

Transfer the pasta to a serving plate. Garnish with burrata and fresh perilla leaves.

Preparation Tips for Perilla Pesto Pasta

Here are some helpful tips for making the best perilla pesto pasta every time:

• Make sure to salt the boiling water for pasta generously. Like they say, it should taste as salty as the ocean! This is an important step because it will impart flavor to the pasta. You might be wondering – what does it matter if the pasta is tossed in the pesto, which is already seasoned? Although this is true, when you bite into the pasta, it will be quite bland if you do not add enough salt to the boiling water. 

• Don’t forget to reserve the pasta water. Depending on how thick the pesto is, you’ll most likely need to add a splash of pasta water. Pasta water is slightly thicker than regular water due to the starch from boiling the pasta. It’ll tie the dish together and help create a luscious sauce.

• This perilla pesto pasta recipe is freezer-friendly and great for meal prep. I suggest making a huge batch, dividing them into portion size freezer and microwave safe containers, then freezing them for up to a month. When ready to eat, thaw in the fridge overnight or for a couple of hours. Toss the hot pasta into the sauce and you’ll have a delicious pesto pasta meal in no time!  

• Make your plate heartier by adding protein. You can top it with salmon, grilled chicken, pork, sausages, or even fried tofu if you prefer. Leftovers would work as well.

• To make this spicy, you can add a dash of chili flakes or a drizzle of chili oil on top.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why do you season boiling water for pasta?

You want to season the pasta water so that the pasta itself will already have some flavor. Think of it as seasoning in layers! Seasoning each component will ensure the final dish comes out delicious. If you do not salt the boiling water, the pasta will be bland, even when tossed in the sauce!

How long to cook pasta?

You typically want to cook the pasta according to what’s recommended in the packaging. However, this can change depending on how you like the pasta cooked. For a softer texture, you can cook the pasta longer by a minute or until it reaches your desired texture. For a firmer texture, cook it to al dente, which is usually the recommended cook time on the package instructions. Al dente literally means “to the tooth,” and this is the term used to describe the texture of the pasta that is firm without being tough or chalky in the center.

What kind of pasta should I use?

I like using curvy and short-cut pasta like rigatoni because the grooves and curves carry the pesto sauce well. But you can use any type of pasta that you like! 

Is perilla pesto pasta vegetarian?

The perilla pesto is vegetarian however, it contains cheese. To make this pesto without cheese you can substitute it with nutritional yeast and omit the burrata. 

Looking for more easy and delicious pasta recipes to try?

Roasted Red Pepper Shrimp Pasta — Ditch the pre-made supermarket pasta sauces and get ready for some serious flavor. This red pepper pasta is exploding with savory and umami notes, and the secret ingredient, gochujang, makes the taste even richer and deeper. I opted for shrimp as my protein, but you can use sausage, chicken, or any that you prefer.

Spicy Seafood Yaki Udon Noodles — Seafood yaki udon is a Japanese seafood udon stir fry that’s easy, delicious, and comes together in just 30 minutes! It’s made with assorted seafood like shrimp, squid, and scallops that are tossed with chewy udon noodles and a simple savory sauce. 

Creamy Kimchi Udon — Chewy udon noodles are slathered with a sauce made with cashew cream and kimchi. It’s slightly spicy, packed with umami, and a whole lot delicious.

Korean Spicy Cold Noodles — Korean spicy cold noodles or ‘bibim myeon‘ (비빔면) (also known as ‘bibim guksu‘ – 비빔국수) are a summer favorite in Korea. It’s a spicy, sweet, and tangy cold noodle dish that’s perfect for when you’re craving a refreshing and nourishing meal.

Ginger Scallion Noodles — This recipe features a combination of aromatics, soy sauce, black vinegar, and Shaoxing wine in oil as the sauce is drizzled over knife-cut noodles. I also added some leftover shredded chicken for my protein. It’s a simple and straightforward delicious meal that you can whip up in under 30 minutes.